Road safety advice for drivers

Even before setting off on your journey there are some basic checks to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and safe to drive.

Every year Highways England traffic officers deal with more than 85,000 breakdowns on the roads they patrol and in the past two years, over 40 per cent of these breakdowns were caused by vehicles running out of fuel, tyre maintenance, power loss and engine trouble. (Source: think.direct.gov.uk)

Please visit the Think website for more detailed information on some basic checks you should carry out to your vehicle before you start your journey.

Driving after little sleep, or failing to take regular breaks, can be lethal or in worst cases fatal. Research suggests that almost 20% of accidents on major roads are sleep-related, and 40% involved commercial vehicles. (Source: think.direct.gov.uk)

However, studies have shown that drivers don’t fall asleep without warning.

Go to the Think website for advice and tips on how to prevent falling asleep at the wheel.

In a crash you’re twice as likely to die if you don’t wear a seatbelt and research suggests that people are less likely to wear a seatbelt on short or familiar journeys, putting themselves at risk. (Source: think.direct.gov.uk)

The law requiring all drivers to wear their seatbelts came into force over 30 years ago on 31 January 1983 and drivers caught without a seatbelt face on-the-spot fines of £100 or a maximum of £500 if they are successfully prosecuted.

Go to the Think website for more information regarding using a seat belt as well as an online crash simulator which shows what happens if you choose not to wear one.

In the last 50 years road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically, but in 2014, there were still 240 deaths due to drink driving – accounting for 14% of all road fatalities. By drinking and driving, you risk your life, those of your passengers and others on the road. Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. You risk a fine of up to £5,000, a minimum 12-month driving ban and a criminal record.

More and more people are taking to the roads on their bicycles as a means of transport and as a leisure or fitness activity to improve their health, do their bit for the environment and also save money.

Since 2010 the number of cyclists killed on our roads has fallen to its lowest level on record.

Go to the Think website for tips and advice on staying safe on your bicycle and when sharing the road with cyclists.